Can't get 70gr VLDs to shoot

[zedsdead]

I have used Berger varmint bullets in .204 and .223 and have been very impressed. They are the most accurate bullets I have tried in those guns so I got some 70gr VLDs to try in my .223AI. I did a ladder test to find my max load and found 27gr of Varget to be as high as I could go in my rifle before the bolt started to get slightly sticky. This was in 25º weather so I considered 26.5gr my max as most of my shooting is done in closer to 90º weather. I loaded up several in .3gr increments from 25gr to 26.5gr and headed to the range.

The problem is I could not get anything to group under 1.25 inches at 100yds for five shots. They were a couple 'two groupings' but mostly just bad groups. With 69gr SMKs I was getting around .5 inch groups. I was seating the Bergers with a slight jam. Since I don't have a OAL gauge to check for length to lands measurement so I used the old Majic Marker trick.

I've heard that VLDs can be finicky about seating depth. Does this seem like the problem or just a case of my gun not liking the bullet? It is a factory varmint savage barrel so I'm more than happy with the half inch groups with the SMKs, I just had to try the Bergers since they had been so accurate in my other rifles.

Thanks in advance for any help.


Jason

 

[Hammerhead]

I have not had this problem with Bergers, but have with other bullets.
I went through the gamete and could not get them to shoot.
Last thing I tried was I changed to a different primer.
My groups closed right up.
I don't know if you have done that, but I would give that a try.

Hammerhead

 

[MarkS]

Jason,

First thing, the VLD's are finicky. Take steelwool and buff the bullet on a dummy round and chamber the round, just as you are doing with the majic marker. you need to see the rifling make a square mark on the bullet. That should be + - 0.020" into the lands. Make sure that the bullet does not move in, you may need more grip on the bullet, if it does.



BACK OFF your load to start shooting. Most VLD's will shoot .010 to 0.020" into the lands. If they want shoot like this, they may not shoot. My Savage 223 liked the 75 Amax and Tac powder CCI 450.

Mark Schronce

 

[chino1969]

I was having trouble getting 105 grn. Bergers to shoot in my Kreiger 6mm BR. They were doing o.k. but not what I expected. I had them touching the lands. I e-mailed Eric Stecker of Berger with my problem and Eric suggested jumping the bullets. I loaded about twenty rds. into the lands and went to the range with a Wilson seating die, arbor press, set of calipers and an OAL gauge. When I got to approx. .044 off the lands, the group closed to a nice one hole group @200 meters. I repeated the same several times for verification and this is now where I shoot them. If I hadn't contacted Eric, I would have never thought to jump the bullets.

According to Eric, this is not uncommon with VLDs. Try jumping them before you give up.

Lou Baccino
Chino69

 

[Bkluke]

I have had the best luck with my 105's jammed lightly, .006 to.008 in on my Dasher.
What twist is your barrel? The vld bullets requie a little more twist.
Once I my throat was way gone I had jump them that worked as well. Just have to find the sweet spot.
Let me know what you find out.

 

[treeman]

If I may, I'm guessing it is a twist problem. your barrel is probably a 1-9 twist. I'd just shoot the 69 smk's. just my thoughts.treeman

 

[zedsdead]

Thanks for all the replies. I will try them with a little bit of jump. It will be a week or two before I can get to the range again but I will post my results as soon as I try it out.

Jason